Skip to content

Postcards from the Transition

Postcards from the Transition.

  • Topics
    • Winds of Change
      • Winds of Change, Africa
      • The Fall of the Wall
      • Velvet Revolution
      • Arab Spring
      • Balkan Turmoil
      • 9/11
      • Soviet Union
    • Christmas Markets
    • Lent and Easter
    • Holy Land
    • Pillars of Hercules
    • Architecture
      • Boardwalk Towns
      • Bridges
      • Castles
      • Religious
    • Transportation
      • Trains
      • Ferries
  • Europe
    • Balkans
      • Albania
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Bulgaria
      • Croatia
      • Kosovo
      • Macedonia
      • Montenegro
      • Serbia
      • Turkey
    • Central Europe
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Poland
      • Slovakia
    • Southern Europe
      • Gibraltar
      • Malta
      • Spain
    • Northern Europe
      • United Kingdom
      • Iceland and Faroes
      • Isle of Man
      • Baltic States
    • Western Europe
      • Belgium
      • Germany
      • Netherlands
  • Africa
    • Kenya
    • South Sudan
    • Tanzania
  • Caucasus
    • Armenia
    • Azerbaijan
    • Georgia
  • MENA
    • Ceuta (Spain)
    • Egypt
    • Israel
    • Jordan
    • Morocco
    • Oman
    • Qatar
    • Palestine
    • United Arab Emirates
  • N. America
    • Canada
    • Contiguous US
    • Cuba
    • Greenland
  • S. America
  • Alaska
    • Sitka
    • South Central Alaska
    • South East Alaska
  • Cruises
    • Iceland, Greenland & Scotland 2017

Tag: Alaska

SitkaLeave a comment

Surfin’ in a Wintery Mix

January 12, 2021January 12, 2021 Rich McClear

This afternoon I looked out my window and saw a nice sucker hole opening up very quickly so I jumped on it. On my way to Starrigavan I stopped at Sandy Beach to watch the surfers and the waves rolling … Continue reading Surfin’ in a Wintery Mix

Sitka3 Comments

Thoughts on Boxing Day

December 26, 2020December 26, 2020 Rich McClear

Christmas Eve is usually a busy day for me.  Tradition is that I do my Christmas Shopping on the 24th.  I have finally learned that I should do most of it before then but some traditions I can’t let go … Continue reading Thoughts on Boxing Day

Sitka5 Comments

Winter Sunsets

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 Rich McClear

From our perch, looking South southwest over Jamestown Bay toward the Gulf of Alaska, I have a crows’ nest view of incoming weather, and from September to March I have nightly views of winter sunsets, when I can see them … Continue reading Winter Sunsets

Sitka, Christmas Markets5 Comments

Floating Joy

December 16, 2020December 20, 2020 Rich McClear

Forty years ago, we were living in Sollar’s Trailer Court.  We could see a small slice of the channel from the front window of our mobile home because we were a little forward of the trailer next to us.  One … Continue reading Floating Joy

Sitka4 Comments

All Hallows Moss

October 31, 2020October 31, 2020 Rich McClear

Stringy stuff in my hair, that’s the memory of Halloween for me.  As kids we approached and entered the “Haunted House” where someone had hung strings or threads from the ceiling that would get into our hair, adding something tactile … Continue reading All Hallows Moss

Sitka2 Comments

Brave Heart Buoys

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 Rich McClear

August 28, 2020 Anyone who’s beachcombed in Southeast Alaska knows about hard plastic fishing buoys.  Japanese fishermen use them, and sometimes they escape and wash up on our shores along with beach glass and flocks of rubber ducks that fell … Continue reading Brave Heart Buoys

SitkaLeave a comment

Recovery Fishing

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020 Rich McClear

HAL CPP Platinum-33-State COI August 8, 2020  And just like that it’s fall.  The skies are overcast and even though sunset is still late, a little before 9 PM, it feels dark.  We’ve had a good deal of rain this … Continue reading Recovery Fishing

Sitka2 Comments

The Last Week of July

August 9, 2020August 9, 2020 Rich McClear

August 7, 2020 I’m sitting in my living room looking out at the rain this first week of August.  Fall is coming and I’m dreaming of that last week of July.  A week that confirms for me that Southeast Alaska … Continue reading The Last Week of July

South Central Alaska1 Comment

Spirit Houses

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020 Rich McClear

July 16, 2020 Eklutna is the only Native Alaskan village within the municipality of Anchorage.  It sits between Thunderbird Falls and Cook Inlet’s Knik Arm north of Chugiak. One source says the village is 800 years old, another, dates it … Continue reading Spirit Houses

Alaska, Sitka2 Comments

A Duck Dump and Antique Cars

July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 Rich McClear

This was a dry Independence Day.  Not only did it not rain but there was no water fight.  The water fight has been my favorite July Fourth activity for years.  The Coast Guard and Fire Department square off against each … Continue reading A Duck Dump and Antique Cars

Alaska, Sitka2 Comments

A Shady Resting Place.

May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 Rich McClear

May 30, 2020, Sitka, Alaska I don’t like visiting cemeteries.  Perhaps it’s a reminder of my own mortality.  Or perhaps it was watching my elementary school being built in the summer of 1950.  To make room for the school playground … Continue reading A Shady Resting Place.

Sitka4 Comments

Up Hill!

May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 Rich McClear

May 28, 2020, Sitka, Alaska.   Sitka seem a little schizophrenic.  Part of Sitka, along with the rest of Alaska, has started to “re-open responsibly” according to the Governor’s directive.  And another part is reacting to Sitka’s second COVID case.  While … Continue reading Up Hill!

Alaska, Sitka1 Comment

Who Was That Masked Man?

May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 Rich McClear

May 3, 2020, Sitka, Alaska I would not make a good bank robber.  On my walk yesterday almost everyone greeted me by name “Hi Rich” while I was wearing my mask.  Only one person, someone I have known for decades, … Continue reading Who Was That Masked Man?

Alaska, Sitka4 Comments

Michio Hoshino Totem Pole Redux..

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 Rich McClear

May 1, 2020, Sitka, Alaska   It’s been a while since I visited the Michio Hoshino memorial totem pole on the south side of the Halibut Point Rec.  Today was a nice sunny day so I decided to hike down for … Continue reading Michio Hoshino Totem Pole Redux..

Alaska, Sitka1 Comment

Social Distance vs Cabin Fever

April 19, 2020April 19, 2020 Rich McClear

April 19, 2020,  Sitka, Alaska     The instructions are confusing.  We’re supposed to shelter at home but are encouraged to go outside for exercise.  In spring, when the weather turns nice Alaskans NEED to get outside to crush cabin fever.  Sheltering … Continue reading Social Distance vs Cabin Fever

Alaska, Lent and Easter, Sitka4 Comments

When Does Lent End?

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020 Rich McClear

Memories of Grandma    April 12, 2020, Easter Sunday, Sitka, Alaska    This year Lent started for us on a Thursday.  We completely lost Ash Wednesday because of an untimely crossing of the dateline.  So, we attended Ash Thursday services on MS … Continue reading When Does Lent End?

Alaska, Sitka5 Comments

Social Distancing…day 2

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 Rich McClear

April 9, 2020, Sitka, Alaska     I needed some more practice at social distancing before I really took it on-line.   It was a beautiful day to try.  I decided to walk along Silver Bay where I would not encounter too many … Continue reading Social Distancing…day 2

Christmas Markets, Sitka3 Comments

Sitka Christmas Boat Parade, 2019

December 15, 2019December 16, 2019 Rich McClear

The first Christmas in Sitka, in a trailer park, Suzi looked out the window and saw brightly colored boats cruising by in the channel. Over the years the boat parade has ebbed and flowed with the economy and the weather. … Continue reading Sitka Christmas Boat Parade, 2019

SitkaLeave a comment

Mysteries of the Changing Seas, Sitka Whale Fest 2019

November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 Rich McClear

When Michael Castellini, Dean of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Grad School, was a young scientist, his department chairs told him to stick with the research and never talk to reporters.  ‘That is why we have public relations people, they’ll … Continue reading Mysteries of the Changing Seas, Sitka Whale Fest 2019

SitkaLeave a comment

Rotary Scenery

October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 Rich McClear

Saturday Sitka’s Rotary sponsored a wildlife cruise.  On the preceding blog post you can read my comments on the day and the viewing.  This page is all about scenery, including a picture on one of the fresh landslides we saw … Continue reading Rotary Scenery

SitkaLeave a comment

Rotary Wildlife

October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 Rich McClear

Rotary lucked out.  Planning a fundraising cruise in October is an iffy thing when you consider the weather.  Rotary’s cruise on Saturday had interesting weather in that it was sunny with fog beginning to settle in.  You looked one way … Continue reading Rotary Wildlife

SitkaLeave a comment

Reconciliation Day

October 20, 2019October 20, 2019 Rich McClear

At 2 PM the Tlingit community held a Mourning and Reconciliation ceremony at the base of Noow Tlein, (Castle Hill) On the top of the hill was the “Reenactment” of the transfer with the Russian flag lowered and the US … Continue reading Reconciliation Day

SitkaLeave a comment

Alaska Day Parade, 2019, Take Two.

October 20, 2019October 20, 2019 Rich McClear

The bagpipers have returned to Seattle, the beards and bonnets are judged, ball gowns are back on their hangers for another year and I am still digesting pie and donuts.  I’m also getting around to sorting, processing and posting pics … Continue reading Alaska Day Parade, 2019, Take Two.

Sitka2 Comments

Wailing at Whales

October 15, 2019October 15, 2019 Rich McClear

Sitka Historical Society 2019 Brew Cruise. It was weird, we were on an Allen Marine boat and the whales were playing all around us, and while some people took time to watch them most people were pre-occupied with beer, brats … Continue reading Wailing at Whales

Posts navigation

Older posts

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 123 other subscribers

Proudly powered by WordPress Theme: Gazette by Automattic.
All original content on these pages is fingerprinted and certified by Digiprove